Fathers and Sons

Chapter 17

Kili lay nestled beside his older brother, watching him sleep. Fili stirred, moaning a bit in his sleep and Kili could tell that he was still fighting the illness. But he looked better, that sickly yellow hue was beginning to fade. He had even managed to keep down his breakfast so far.

Kili glanced up when he heard the door creak open. Asphodel walked in slowly and Kili motioned for her to be quiet lest she wake his slumbering brother. She came in and sat down in the chair beside the bed, glancing at Fili.

"He just got to sleep," Kili explained, propping himself up on the bed to look at her over Fili's body, "I think he'll be okay now."

"My mother wanted me to come check on him," Asphodel said, placing her small hand on Fili's forehead, "How are you feeling, Master Dwarf?"

"Good," Kili said, trying to sound convincing. He trained his eyes on Fili's sleeping form, not wanting her to see.

Physically, he felt the best he had felt in weeks. He and Thorin had been treated to good meals and the hobbit's dwelling had provided needed shelter from the intense heat wave outside. But with the recovery of health and relative safety, Kili had been plagued by the trauma of what he had experienced and his fear of losing his big brother only amplified this.

Last night, as Fili fought for his life, Kili had awoken in the next room, gasping for breath. The nightmare had been so real. The village was on fire, the orcs were everywhere and everyone he loved was lost. He was alone in this world.

It was only a dream. A terrible dream. But he could not shake it. And he couldn't let anyone know. He didn't want to be weak, especially around all these hobbits.

"My father died last year," said Asphodel, suddenly, after the two shared a long silence. Kili glanced up at her. She looked at him with her large green eyes, gleaming in the soft light through the window, "He got sick..."

"I'm sorry," Kili said, thinking about his mother, "I never knew my father. Uncle has always taken care of us. And Mother..."

"My uncle helps out too," Asphodel said, "He's a very kind Hobbit, though Mother says he used to be quite mischievous when they were young. He and father were close friends."

Asphodel sat quietly for a moment, as if contemplating something. Kili watched her. He realized she was trying to cheer him up, but seemed unsure of how to go about doing it. Then, quite suddenly, she jolted out of her chair and gave him a smile, "Can I show you something?"

Kili was reluctant to leave Fili. He glanced down at him uneasily.

"It will only be a moment," she assured him, "He needs his rest."

Kili got up and followed her. She led him out into the dining area where Thorin was still talking with Azalea and Bilbo.

"Kili?" Thorin looked at him, "Is Fili alright?"

"Yes, he's asleep," Kili responded, "Though he's still in a lot of pain."

"Yes, that will last awhile," Azalea explained, "Muscle pains."

"Mother, I am going to show him our garden," Asphodel said, "We'll only be a moment."

"Ah... what if someone sees you?" Bilbo asked, looking concerned.

"Well what if they do," Azalea scolded, "What were you planning to do, hide three dwarves in your home and expect them to stay hidden? Some fresh air would be very good for the lad."

"Okay..." Bilbo conceded and Kili glanced at Thorin sheepishly before Asphodel grabbed his hand and yanked him towards the door.

Kili was relieved to find that the heat was not so intense this evening. A gentle breeze blew through his hair as he gazed around at the rolling hills and little paths of the shire. Hobbit holes were carved into many of the hills, all with bright colored round doors. Cattle and livestock roamed about in fields surrounding them.